Histon keeper Enol Ordonez confident that young team will improve

The season is just four games old but it has already been an eventful campaign for Enol Ordonez.

Histon’s Spanish goalkeeper suffered a cut below is eye after being unceremoniously bundled into his own net during the opening match against Frome, and he has been called into action far more times than he or manager Brian Page would like, pulling off a string of eye-catching saves.

Unfortunately for him and his team-mates, his efforts have largely been in vain as Histon have just one point from a draw at Biggleswade to show for their endeavours so far.

But the affable 26-year-old keeper is confident the team will make the necessary improvements.

“At the moment it’s been difficult because we’re a young team with not a lot of experience in this league,” he said.

“We have to improve. The league is hard with strong teams and players, and with more experience.

“We’ve missed a lot of chances in important moments. At the moment it’s not good but we’re confident we can get better because we’re playing well. We’re creating chances and we’re hopeful we’ll get goals and points soon.”

In such a young squad, Ordonez is considered a veteran with only captain and centre-back Stuart Wall older at 27.

With such a position comes responsibility and a certain amount of pressure, and for Ordonez that is exactly how he likes it.

“I’d played at Cambridge City with experienced players,” he said. “Here we have two players over 22. But we have good quality players and I like the spirit because they’re happy and are looking forward. I don’t care about the age.

“I’m the goalkeeper, one of the most important positions in the team, and have to make fewer mistakes so I feel the responsibility. But I like to play like that, I like the pressure and tension.”

Ordonez said he has enjoyed working with Page and coach Lance Key since joining in the summer, but he takes little consolation from his own performances, even Tuesday’s outstanding display during the 2-1 loss to Dunstable.

“I’m not completely happy because the team lost,” he continued.

“I’m the most critical person with myself. I have to correct some mistakes.

“We’ve been unlucky with goals at important moments but this is football. In general I’m happy with my performances but I have to improve.”

Ordonez has now been playing in England for two years, with a host of Mid-Anglia clubs on his playing CV – Cambridge City, St Ives, Huntingdon, Godmanchester and Soham Town Rangers – and has thoroughly enjoyed his time at each one.

Having acclimatised to the physical nature of the game over here has helped him shake off the incident in the Frome game when he appeared to be fouled in the build up to their second goal.

“I’ve been playing in English football for two years so I know people are more physical than in Spain,” he said. “I was waiting for this kind of thing.

“After two years (here) I know everything to expect. I’m maybe quite small but I’m a strong keeper. I like this kind of football, it’s better than in Spain, and I enjoy my time in England. I’m happy here.”

While Ordonez’s attention is fixed on tomorrow’s home game against Chippenham Town, he is excited about Monday’s derby against his former club Cambridge City.

The two teams played each other in pre-season in the Cambs Professional Cup, but Monday’s league game will take the rivalry to a different level.

“It’s important to us because we need the points and it’s a derby,” he added.

“We’re going to work hard first to get three points against Chippenham and then again on Monday.

“I left a lot of friends in Gary (Roberts) and Neil (Midgley) and the players, so it’s a special game for me.”